Adventure Bike Rider Forum

I'm off for Eight weeks Solo next month, although the last two weeks will be spent with my wife and kids in a villa, that's still six weeks on my Tod with no adult supervision.
I've done a fair bit of camping over the years, but I really prefer sleeping on a proper bed under a proper roof.
But 6 weeks is 42 nights, so I don't really want to splash out on hotels night after night, I also want to be flexible....if I have to wild camp, so be it.
I'll generally look for proper campsites and I'll mix in the odd hotel night for a treat, especially if it's pissing down.
I've got camping gear already, but I've tended be a bit halfhearted and bought cheap in the past.
So I've been pushing the boat out recently and investing in some better kit.
I bought a Redvers motorcyle garage tent, Trangia 27 stove, Helinox cot bed and just this morning ordered a Helinox chair.
I have a cheapish light weight Snugpak sleeping bag, which is rated at comfort 2degC.
I am pretty sure that should be fine.
What are folk's thoughts on that lot? Anything else I should consider?

A small folding table,,I found one that fits in a pannier.

Decent tent pegs.

andymac wrote:A small folding table,,I found one that fits in a pannier.

Decent tent pegs.

The tent came with some good quality trianglia section pegs....but good shout I should get some spares.
I've also ordered one of those connecting plates that link my aluminium panniers together to form a table.

I use the pegs that look like 9in nails, for stoney ground.

SteveW wrote:

andymac wrote:A small folding table,,I found one that fits in a pannier.

Decent tent pegs.

The tent came with some good quality trianglia section pegs....but good shout I should get some spares.
I've also ordered one of those connecting plates that link my aluminium panniers together to form a table.

Get a set of stainless steel pegs - Decathlon do some that are amazing! - and try sleeping on your cot a few nights before you go as you might find it impossible to sleep on. If so look for a sleeping mat that rates thermal efficiency and pack size over comfort. On my first four week tour I bought an air bed that I managed to burn a hole in which gave it a slow puncture - packed it too close to the exhaust! - as I was by then in deepest darkest Portugal and only a week into the tour I couldn't find a replacement that would fit into my luggage. So I just had to lump it - start the night comfy and end it on the ground. I got used to sleeping on a hard surface - in fact now I won't have it any other way - but the cold was the big problem.

So for me it's a self inflating sleeping mat every time - which one depends on your budget - and carry one of those shine emergency blankets - put that under your mat and you'll be toasting.

I also kept to the original meths for my Trangia and you can get that anywhere - goes down well with a can of coke too :whistle:

Regs

Simon

What are folk's thoughts on that lot?

POSH!

over the years I have pared down everything, but it depends on what bike you are using, how you plan on carrying it and the tracks roads you are doing. Sleep is very important to your health and also safety on big trips.

Get a good sleeping bag liner that can add a few more degrees of comfort on a cold night plus it's easier to wash than a smelly bag :whistle:

weeks on your own you jammy GIT! (thumbs)

cheers Spud

Whichever type of fuel your Trangia takes go and buy one of the options for a different type in case you struggle getting one or the other. I'd get the petrol stove you can buy for them because you'll always have a source of fuel. They're not cheap but what price do you put on a cup of tea before packing your kit away in the morning.

I'd also buy a sleeping bag liner because not only do they add warmth if needed you can wash them if your bag starts to stink a bit.

After that just go for a walk around Go Outdoors and spend more money, there'll always be something you want that you can later claim was a necessity.

I'll be on my GSA800, with the Holly Trinity of Pannier, Pannier and Top Box. It's mostly East Coast and Mid USA.
I will be spending at least a week, may two weeks with an American friend who knows his way around Tennessee trails and Tennessee/Mississippi/Arkansas TAT.
The plan is to strip the panniers and boxes off the GS, leave them in the tent and just use a back pack to explore the trails, may be spend a couple of days away from the tent.
I'll be in the land of plenty, with loads of purchasing opportunities on the hoof, so a sleeping bag liner could be on the cards.
Regarding the Helinox cot....I've got a cheaper version which I've slept on a few times which I prefer to a sleeping mat, so I guess it will be fine.

Thanks chaps good stuff!
I ordered the Chair one (not the chair one mini) but I did see another Helinox chair on the site that was thirty quid more expensive, that looked a bit higher...and I've got long legs, so I'll ring them on Monday morning.
Good shout about an alternative quick-set up stove and an alternative fuel burner for the Trangia.
I had a look on Decathlon's site but didn't see any Stainless pegs, but I know I need some spares, I have a couple of packs of hard ground pegs, but my feeling is they're too bulky.
I'll have a wander round a US camping/hiking outlet when I get there, I probably get a small cheap little burner from Walmart, that way I only need one gas bottle, as I can easily pick up extra ones on route.

Order a exped LW 7 for your helinox cot. Gives you some thermal protection and makes it super comfy. Make sure you don't over inflate it but just give it shape.

Also what Helinox chair have you ordered? They have just launched a new one and it's much more comfy and higher off the ground. See if you can swap yours if you got the Chair One coming

You might consider a sleeping bag liner - can recommend the one from Sea to Summit. 2 degree bag is fairly light weight. They pack down small and are great if it's a chilly night.

A nice luxury is a quick cuppa when you want so a smaller quick gas stove like the jet boil and a small flexible water carrier mean you can stop anytime.

Have a cool trip


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